Dunn

Introduction to Virtual Environments is taught collaboratively between classrooms on IU Bloomington’s campus and Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus, with most sessions taking place via the Access Grid.

The Access Grid is an emerging technology that uses high-end audio and visual technology that allows users at multiple Access Grid locations, called nodes, to work together in a real-time collaborative environment. The Access Grid nodes are set up with multiple video screens, cameras, and microphones, allowing students and instructors on each campus to interact as though they were all in the same room. Guest lecturers can speak from other Access Grid nodes, allowing students to hear from experts that might not be able to travel to speak to the classes in person.

“Using the Access Grid in this manner allows us to draw upon the expertise and experience of the instructors, researchers and students at both schools,” said IU’s Eric Wernert. “Using a virtual classroom minimizes the physical distance between IU and Purdue and allows the students to actually experience an interactive, collaborative environment, rather than just hearing an instructor talk about one. In fact, the stereo projection systems in the node allow the students to experience virtual reality demonstrations right in the classroom.” Wernert and Laura Arns, the Purdue instructor, shared the teaching load and students at both schools gave research and project presentations, enabling further collaboration and professional development among Indiana’s future high-tech professionals.

“Through virtual environments, IU informatics is forging real partnerships with our colleagues at Purdue--leveraging our strengths to provide the best IT education to students,” said Michael Dunn, dean of informatics. Introduction to Virtual Environments is made possible in part by I-Light, the high-speed optical fiber network that connects IU Bloomington, Purdue’s West Lafayette campus, and IUPUI.